Political Science & Public Administrationhttp://hdl.handle.net/10530/502
Political Science & Public Administration

2020-06-07T06:30:33ZAssessing the role of traditional leaders and ward councilors in promoting community development in Umlalazi municipalityhttp://hdl.handle.net/10530/1842
Assessing the role of traditional leaders and ward councilors in promoting community development in Umlalazi municipality
Mpungose, Muzi Sylvester Cyril
The South Africa government and various interested parties have extensively debated the relevance and place of traditional leadership in our democracy. The core of the debate is the notion of incompatibility of this institution with democracy and human rights. The 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa set the tone for the recognition of traditional leaders in a democratic dispensation. The study assessed the role of traditional leaders and ward councillors in promoting community development in uMlalazi Municipality. The aim was to identify the limitations in community development programmes and how much does traditional leaders observe government regulations in service delivery and the impact that it has created. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 82 participants, but only 72 questionnaires were returned. The research participants were businesses, churches, ward committee members, ward councilors, traditional leaders, and community members. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to analyse the data. The study revealed the challenges facing communities regarding development. It also became apparent that the South African Constitution does not clearly define the roles and responsibilities traditional leaders should play in society. Possible solutions were identified in a form of recommendations, that in the implementation of the Integrated Development Planning programmes they should consider Batho Pele principles.
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Public Administration in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2018.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZThe extent to which female informal traders participate in the local economic development (LED) programme at Umhlathuze local municipality, Kwazulu-Natal provincehttp://hdl.handle.net/10530/1837
The extent to which female informal traders participate in the local economic development (LED) programme at Umhlathuze local municipality, Kwazulu-Natal province
Bennett, Rejoice Phindile
Employment in the informal sector is on the increase in various regions of the world. There are more women than men in the informal sector and there are several explanations for this basic fact. Among other factors is that the informal sector is the primary source of employment for women in many developing countries such as South Africa. Gender-based differences in employment status within the informal sector have implications for relative earnings and poverty levels. Prior to 1994, South Africa experienced a high rate of inequality and under-development, especially among rural dwellers. This led to political tensions which culminated in the struggle for freedom. After the struggle, the new dispensation in South Africa ushered the democratic and inclusive governance, hence, a series of legislations and policies were instituted to correct the injustices of the past. These, among others, include the policy on Local Economic Development (LED) which placed strong emphasis on the social and economic development of rural dwellers.
This study explored the place of women in informal trading business using a selected municipality in South Africa. A qualitative method was adopted for data collection. Focus group discussions were conducted for selected informal women traders in the selected municipality, while semi-structured interviews were conducted for municipal officials. The awareness of women regarding the LED programme as well as its effect on women in informal trading business were investigated. The findings of the study showed that women get involved in informal businesses due to several factors such as death of the breadwinner, poverty, and poor or non-formal education, among others. Furthermore, lack of awareness of LED programme, poor infrastructures, lack of warehouse for storage, low income, municipal policies, lack of adequate training, among others, are factors which hinder the progress of women informal business traders in the selected municipal areas. Hence, the study recommends the review of policies, creation of awareness on LED programme, construction of warehouses and infrastructures to enhance the upliftment of women informal business traders.
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Public Administration in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2019.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZAn assessment of the effects of xenophobia on social integration in Isiphingo, KwaZulu-Natal provincehttp://hdl.handle.net/10530/1829
An assessment of the effects of xenophobia on social integration in Isiphingo, KwaZulu-Natal province
Dlamini, Nompumelelo Prudence
Over two decades after South Africa’s initial democratic ‘baptism’; the country still struggles with social integration. With clear traces of its segregated, discriminatory past, the country continues to experience high levels of violence against foreign nationals; particularly African foreign nationals. Former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela, proclaimed the country as a rainbow nation, one which will accommodate people of different nationalities and backgrounds. However, the world observed the occurrence of the much-publicized xenophobic attacks in 2008 and 2015. These attacks left many foreign nationals destitute, some dead and others displaced.
Historically during the apartheid era, South Africans found refuge in neighbouring African countries, mostly in the Southern African region. However, recent migration pattern reveals a reverse as other parts of the continent face political unrests and wars leading more Africans to seek refuge in South Africa and other parts of the continent and world. Sequel to the 2015 xenophobic violent outburst that first erupted in Isiphingo, the study assessed the effects of xenophobia on Social Integration in the society (Isiphingo). Prior to 2008 much publicized xenophobic violence it is a fact that Black foreign nationals are often attacked compared to other nationals. The study examined the role played by the South African government in enhancing social integration and eradicating xenophobia. The study argues that there are negative implications associated with the persistence of xenophobic violence towards foreign nationals, African foreign nationals in particular. This may hinder regional integration with other African countries in future.
The study reveals that South Africa’s previous experience of isolation from the international arena, government officials and the media are contributory factors which incite violence towards foreign nationals. Citizens lack proper understanding and knowledge in understanding the different categories of foreign nationals and the nature of their problems in their countries of origins. The results reveal that the South African government has been in denial of the existence of xenophobia in the country. Some expectations have been put on the government in correcting the mistakes of the past. However, at the realisation that change is not immediate South Africans retaliate and foreign nationals are used as scapegoats of these frustrations. There is no specific law that addresses xenophobic violence, and there has been a significant failure on the side of the government in addressing the root causes of xenophobia in South Africa. The study came with several recommendations, one being that the government of South Africa should not deny the existence of xenophobia in the country this will help in eradicating
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it. There is a great need to come up with specific laws and policies that address the problem of xenophobia.
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Public Administration in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2018.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZThe support women in management positions need to be effective managershttp://hdl.handle.net/10530/1828
The support women in management positions need to be effective managers
Ngema, Simangele Constance
This study analysed the progression of women to senior management positions in organisations focusing on the support women need to be promoted to senior managerial positions in state owned enterprises in South Africa. It used the specific case of Transnet in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal to understand the phenomenon of women’s under-representation in senior management positions within the framework of Critical Mass Theory. The study’s objectives were; to identify challenges of mainstreaming women into managerial positions in public enterprise organizations such as Transnet, analyse the support structure and systems that women have and need to succeed and recommend strategies that can be implemented for promoting women to senior management positions.
The study adopted a post-positivist research paradigm to enable multiple perspectives from participants/target population rather than a single reality. A mixed method was used to benefit the study. In that light, both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were simultaneously used during a single phase of data collection. Primary data was gathered by survey method involving self-administered questionnaires with women employees who were not in the management and through semi-structured interviews with women who were junior managers. The secondary data was gathered by in-depth literature review and document analysis of Transnet policies, and both data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Confirming findings from existing literature which show that women are still under represented in managerial positions in public and private institutions in South Africa and worldwide, this study found that women face promotion hurdles to senior managerial positions in Transnet. Preference is given to men compared to women and men have senior mentors while women usually do not. Also, there are hidden difficulties in Transnet that women face and prevent them from moving into higher positions such as fearing criticism. While there are support structures in place to enable women to be promoted to senior managerial positions, however, implementation is a problem due to entrenched patriarchal attitudes. Based on its findings, the study made a number of recommendations was such as underscoring the urgent need for women to have matured mentors who will guide those in senior iv
management with the skills required in management positions and also mentor those who are aspiring. It was also recommended that previous experience, skills and knowledge should be considered for women to be promoted to senior management positions. v
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Public Administration in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2018
2018-01-01T00:00:00Z